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American tourist detained in North Korea American tourist detained in North Korea
(35 minutes later)
An American tourist has been detained in North Korea for allegedly committing an unspecified crime, the country's official news agency has reported. A US tourist has been detained in North Korea for allegedly committing an unspecified crime, the country's official news agency has reported.
The Korean Central News Agency said authorities were investigating the American for allegedly committing acts inconsistent with the purpose of a tourist visit. It did not give details The Korean Central News Agency said authorities were investigating the man for allegedly committing acts inconsistent with the purpose of a tourist visit. It did not give details
"American citizen Jeffrey Edward Fowle entered the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] as a tourist on April 29 and acted in violation of the DPRK law, contrary to the purpose of tourism during his stay," KCNA reported. "American citizen Jeffrey Edward Fowle entered the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] as a tourist on 29 April and acted in violation of the DPRK law, contrary to the purpose of tourism during his stay," KCNA reported.
In April, North Korea said it had detained a 24-year-old American for improper behaviour while he was being entering the country as a tourist. He was identified as Miller Matthew Todd – possibly putting his surname first. It said he entered the country on 10 April with a tourist visa, but tore it up and shouted that he wanted to seek asylum. The brief report said he chose the North "as a shelter". In April, North Korea said it had detained a 24-year-old American for improper behaviour while he was entering the country as a tourist. He was identified as Miller Matthew Todd – possibly putting his surname first. It said he entered the country on 10 April with a tourist visa, but tore it up and shouted that he wanted to seek asylum. The brief report said he chose the North "as a shelter".
North Korea has been holding a Korean-American missionary, Kenneth Bae, since November 2012. Bae was sentenced to 15 years' hard labour for what the North says were hostile acts against the state.North Korea has been holding a Korean-American missionary, Kenneth Bae, since November 2012. Bae was sentenced to 15 years' hard labour for what the North says were hostile acts against the state.
North Korea has been pushing to promote tourism as part of efforts to earn badly needed foreign currency, but the country is also extremely sensitive about how visitors act while in the country.North Korea has been pushing to promote tourism as part of efforts to earn badly needed foreign currency, but the country is also extremely sensitive about how visitors act while in the country.
Friday's announcement came as tension on the Korean peninsula remains high with North Korea employing aggressive rhetoric against the US and South Korea following its seres of missile and rocket launches earlier this year. The North's state media have also criticised US and South Korean leaders using sexist and racist language. Friday's announcement came as tension on the Korean peninsula remained high with North Korea employing aggressive rhetoric against the US and South Korea following its series of missile and rocket launches earlier this year. The North's state media have also criticised US and South Korean leaders using sexist and racist language.
The peninsula is still in a technical state of war because the 1950-53 Korean war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 American troops are stationed in the South to deter potential aggression from North Korea. The peninsula is still technically in a state of war because the 1950-53 Korean war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 American troops are stationed in the South to deter potential aggression from North Korea.
The US and North Korea do not maintain diplomatic relations, but Sweden, which has an embassy in Pyongyang, oversees consular issues for the US there.The US and North Korea do not maintain diplomatic relations, but Sweden, which has an embassy in Pyongyang, oversees consular issues for the US there.
In March, North Korea deported an Australian missionary detained for spreading Christianity in the country after he apologised for anti-state religious acts and requested forgiveness.In March, North Korea deported an Australian missionary detained for spreading Christianity in the country after he apologised for anti-state religious acts and requested forgiveness.